Microsoft looking at digital games trading for the Xbox One

The ability to trade digital games is something that many a gamer would love to see become reality. Not only would it give them a chance to pass on old, completed and/or un-loved games onto others, but the cash you could get from trading would be nice to have too (more games!).

Up until now it hasn’t really been considered. Neither the Xbox One or PS4 will support it at launch, and of course in the PC market using a platform like STEAM, the games you purchase are locked to your account for life.

However all that could be set to change with Microsoft’s Albert Penello telling Gamespot that they are actively looking at the issue and will even enable it “when the time right”!

I think we need to do that. That has to be part of the experience.

Talking about the now defuct Family Sharing program that was initially scheduled to launch with the Xbox One (and was pulled because of the backlash – many gamers viewed it as too restrictive), Penello said

That was one of the places that we were actually trying to pioneer. We were trying to implement the ability to trade [and] loan digital games with your friends which is something that no one else was doing.

All this is great news. If Microsoft can manage to strike a balance somewhere between what they initially tried to introduce with the Family Sharing program and a trading free-for-all (publishers wouldn’t be too happy) then they might have a shot at keeping most people happy and truly ushering in the era of digital gaming.